A method and system are provided for effecting interactive, three-dimensional
renderings
of selected body organs for purposes of medical observation and diagnosis. A series
of CT images of the selected body organs are acquired. The series of CT images
is stacked to form a three-dimensional volume file. To facilitate interactive three-dimensional
rendering, the three-dimensional volume file may be subjected to an optional dataset
reduction procedure to reduce pixel resolution and/or to divide the three-dimensional
volume file into selected subvolumes. From a selected volume or subvolume, the
image of a selected body organ is segmented or isolated. A wireframe model of the
segmented organ image is then generated to enable interactive, three-dimensional
rendering of the selected organ.
